Savory Golden Garlic Butter Chicken Bites paired with creamy Parmesan Linguine

Ingredients:

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
3 tbsp butter, divided
3 cloves garlic, minced
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
For the Parmesan Linguine:
8 oz linguine
2 tbsp butter
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup heavy cream
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Directions:

Cook the Linguine: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving a bit of pasta water for later if needed.

Cook the Chicken: While the pasta is cooking, season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning. In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Sauté the Garlic: In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant. Add the lemon zest and juice, and stir to combine.

Combine the Linguine and Sauce: Add the cooked linguine to the skillet with the garlic butter mixture. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, heavy cream, and a little pasta water if the sauce is too thick. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste.

Bring it All Together: Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet with the linguine. Toss everything together until well combined and heated through.

Garnish and Serve: Serve the golden garlic butter chicken bites with the savory Parmesan linguine. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and freshness.